GM Bowman agrees to two-year extension with Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman attends a news conference in Chicago, April 28, 2011. Bowman and the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season.The deal was announced on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Charles Rex Arbogast

2013-09-11 11:05:00

CHICAGO - General manager Stan Bowman and the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season.

The deal was announced on Wednesday.

With stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane leading the way, the 40-year-old Bowman has overseen two championship runs since he replaced Dale Tallon as general manager in July 2009.

They won it all in 2010, ending a 49-year drought, but had to overhaul their supporting cast due to salary cap restraints. Back-to-back first-round playoff exits followed, but the Blackhawks had a record start last season and beat Boston in the Stanley Cup finals.

That made Bowman the first general manager to win multiple championships since the NHL instituted a salary cap in 2005. He is entering his 13th season with the Blackhawks.